Liquid pouring device and insert member for a bottle



July 23, 1963 c. WASSERBERG LIQUID POURING DEVICE AND INSERT MEMBER FOR A BOTTLE Filed Feb. 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

CHARLES WASSERBERG ATTORNEY y 1963 c. WASSERBERG 3,098,586

LIQUID POURING DEVICE AND INSERT MEMBER FOR A BOTTLE Filed Feb. 14, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CHARLES WASSERBERG INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY 3,098,586 LIQU PQURENG DEVICE AND HQEiERT MEMBER FOR A BOTTLE Charles Wasserberg, 187 Forest Hill Road, West Orange, NJ. Filed Feb. 14, 1961, Ser. No. 89,314 12 Claims. (61. 222-147) The present invention relates to a liquid dispenser, and more particularly, to a pouring device and insert member for insertion within the neck of a bottle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a pouring device which may be inserted within the neck of the bottle so that the bottle may be shipped or transported to a point of use Without requiring separate packaging of the pouring device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid pouring device that fits within the neck of a conventional bottle requiring no special design of the bottle in order to accommodate it.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an insert member having a pouring device which is permanently disposed within the neck of a bottle to prevent refilling of the bottle with liquid, once it is emptied.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid pouring device and insert member having air vent means therein which permits air to readily enter the bottle so that the liquid may be evenly dispensed therefrom without splashing, but which air vent means is sealed off if an attempt is made to refill the bottle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a liquid pouring device and insert member having no moving parts that is permanently inserted within the neck of a bottle and remains in a stationary position once inserted in the bottle.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide the combination of a liquid pouring device, insert member and air vent means made as one piece from molded plastic material that can be formed in what is known in the art as a one-shot operation in a die mold.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a liquid pouring device and insert member having air vent means so disposed thereon that it will permit liquid to flow in one direction out of the pouring device but will not permit liquid to flow in the opposite direction therethrough to prevent the refilling and reuse of the bottle.

Various other objects and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description, when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational section View of the pouring device and insert member of the present invention in a dispensing position;

FIG. 2 is a transverse view of the insert member taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse section of the insert member taken along lines 33 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an elevational view partly broken away and in section, showing a bottle cap disposed on the neck of the bottle sealing 013? the pouring spout;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pouring device and insert member of the present invention partly broken away;

FIG. 6 is an elevational view of another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a transverse view of the insert member taken on lines 77 of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side view of the embodiment of the invention in FIG. 6, with portions broken away and in section.

3&98586 Patented July 23, 163

Referring to 'FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawing, the reference numeral :10 designates the neck of a glass bottle provided with conventional external threads 11 on the end thereof. The liquid dispenser is generally designated 12 and comprises a pouring device 13 and a cylindrical insert member 14, preferably made of molded polystyrene material. Insert14 consists of an upper circular disc member 15- with a central opening '15 therein and a lower circular disc member 1-6 spaced therebelow to provide a liquid chamber '17 therebetween. A cylindrical pouring spout =18 extends above the central opening. Circumferential spaced radial ribs 19 extend downwardly from upper member '15 to form longitudinal passages 20 between them. The lower ends of ribs 19 have their inner edges disposed adjacent the outer periphery of lower member 16. Open ings or inlet ports 21 to liquid chamber 17 are provided between the upper inner edges of the ribs. A skirt 22 depending from member 15 surrounds the outside of the ribs and extends to a point adjacent the bottom of lower member 16.

Air vent means are formed on the liquid dispenser and consist of a lower vent tube 23 and an upper vent tube 24. Vent tube 123 is disposed adjacent the periphery of member 16, while vent tube 24 is adjacent the outer side of spout 18 so that the inner wall 25 of the upper vent tube 24 is in alignment with the passage 26 in the lower vent tube 23 and passage 27 extending through upper vent tube 24 is out of alignment with lower passage 26, as clearly seen in FIG. 1, to seal off the air vent means when some-' one attempts to refill the bottle once the contents have been used, as hereinafter described. Upper vent tube 24 extends downwardly to a point above lower member 16, while the upper end of vent tube 23 is flush with the surface of member 116 so the tubes are spaced apart. It will also be noted in 'FIG. 1 that the upper surface of member 16 is beveled or downwardly inclined so that the portion adjacent the vent tubes is lower than the opposite portion.

The pouring device and insert member is disposed in the neck of the bottle so that a tapered rim 28 on member 15 adjacent the lower end of the spout '18 rests on a complementary tapered rim 29. A polyethylene sleeve or bushing 30 is swaged into the bottle neck to permanently secure it therein to prevent removal of the device and insert except by excessive force that would break the glass bottle. The liquid dispenser may also be secured in the bottle by cement, if desired. A conventional elongated cup-shaped cap 31 is threaded on the neck of the bottle, as shown in FIG. 4, so that the bottle has the liquid dispenser stored therein. A sealing gasket or washer 32 is provided in the cap to prevent leakage of liquid from the bottle through the spout when the cap is disposed on it.

After the bottle cap 31 and gasket are removed from the neck of the bottle, the liquid is ready to be poured there from. The liquid is dispensed from the device when the bottle is inverted by flowing upwardly through the passages or channels 20 between ribs 19 and thereafter, flows through inlet ports 21 into the central liquid chamber and out of the spout 18 into a glass or other container into which it is to be poured. When discharging the liquid from spout 18, air is permitted to enter the bottle through the upper air vent 24, and space 33 provided between the lower end of air vent 24 and upper end of lower vent 23.

Once the contents of the bottle are emptied, the bottle cannot be refilled and reused because if it is attempted to pour liquid into spout 13, the liquid will fall to the bottom thereof and the inclined surface of disc 16 will cause a portion of the liquid to fill space 33 sothat a seal is formed between passages 26 and 27 in the vent tubes and the air in the bottle cannot escape or be vented.

Referring to the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 6 to 8, this embodiment is substantially the same in structure and in operation as that shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, except that the spout 36 is formed flush with the top of the bottle rim so that a shorter bottle cap 37 and its sealing gasket 38 may seat against both the pouring spout and rim of the bottle, In addition, this embodiment of the invention is provided with an outwardly extending rim or flange 39 which is swaged in a corresponding recess 40 formed in the neck of the bottle, eliminating the bushing. There is no skirt on this embodiment of the invention, but the radial ribs 41 merely extend outwardly from the lower member 42 to provide longitudinal channels 43 between the ribs with the upper ends of the ribs torming inlet ports 44 for the liquid chamber. The 'lower air vent tube 45 is similar to that shown in the first embodiment of the invention, while upper air vent tube 46 is coextensive with the rim of the bottle when the device is permanently inserted in the bottle.

In operation, the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. to 8 is substantially the same as that described for-FIGS. 1 to 5. When the bottle is inverted, the liquid flows between ribs 41 and inlet ports 44 into chamber 47 and is discharged through spout 36 into a glass or vessel while air enters the bottle through the vent tube 46, the space 4-9 between the vents and the lower air vent tube 4 5. If an attempt is made to refill the bottle once the contents have been emptied, any liquid poured in spout 36 will flow into the space between the vents and form a liquid seal between the upper and lower vent tubes, so that air cannot escape from the bottle and it cannot be refilled.

With the pouring device and insert member of the present invention, it is readily apparent that it can be diemolded from plastic material in what is commonly known as a one-step or one-shot operation.

It is also apparent that the present invention provides a pouring device which can be completely enclosed within the neck of a bottle so that the pouring device may be transported in the bottle to a point of use without requiring separate packaging. Another feature of the present invention is the fact that the pouring device, insert member and vent means are an integral single member and may be permanently inserted within the neck of a conventional bottle and require no special bottle caps.

Another advantage of the present invention is the fact that the pouring device of the present invention will permit the liquid to be discharged therethrough in .one direction, but not in the opposite direction because a liquid seal is formed to prevent the escape of air from the bottle, thereby preventing refilling o-r reusing of the bottle.

Inasmuch as various changes may be made in the form, location "and relative arrangement of the several parts without departing from the essential characteristics of the invention, it will be understood that the invention is not to be limited except by the scope of the appended claims.

What is clarnied is:

l. A liquid dispenser for use in the neck of a bottle comprising a liquid chamber having circumferentially spaced ribs forming inlet ports thereto, said ribs forming longitudinal passages to permit liquid in the bottle to be discharged into said chamber, a pouring spout extending above said chamber for receiving liquid therefrom, upper airvent means adjacent said spout and in communication with said chamber, lower air vent means in communication with said chamber and extending below said chamber with its upper end spaced from the lower end of said upper vent means, and means in the bottom of said liquid chamber to cause a liquid seal across said chamber when liquid is poured into said bottle.

2. A liquid dispenser for use in the neck of a bottle comprising a liquid chamber, a pouring spout extending above said chamber, upper air vent means adjacent said spout having its lower end in communication with said chamber, circumferentially spaced ribs around said chamber providing inlet ports thereto, said ribs forming longitudinal passages around said chamber to receive liquid from said bottle for discharging it through said inlet ports, lower air vent means extending below said chamber with its upper end in communication with said chamber and spaced from the lower end of said upper air vent means, and means in said chamber to cause liquid to flow into said lower air vent means to cause a liquid seal across said air vent means when liquid is poured into said bottle.

3. A liquid dispenser for insertion in the neck of a bottle comprising a cylindrical liquid chamber defined by an upper circular member having a central opening therein, a lower circular member of smaller diameter than said upper circular member, and spaced longitudinal ribs eX- tending between said circular members to provide inlet ports for said chamber, a pouring spout extending above said central opening, an upper air vent tube disposed adjacent said spout in communication with said liquid chamber, and a lower air vent tube extending below and through said lower circular member in communication with said liquid chamber, the upper end of said lower vent tube being spaced from the lower end of said upper vent tube, said lower circular member having its upper surface downwardly inclined toward said lower vent tube to cause a liquid seal to block said vent tubes when liquid is poured down said pouring spout into said bottle.

4. A liquid dispenser for insertion in the neck of a bottle comprising a cylindrical liquid chamber defined by an upper circular member with a central opening therein, a lower circular member of smaller diameter than said upper circular member and spaced radial ribs extending longitudinally between said members, with the inner edges of said ribs abutting the periphery of said lower circular member and the outer edges of said ribs adjacent the peripheral portion of said upper circular member, a pouring spout extending above said central opening, an upper air vent tube disposed adjacent said spout in communication with said liquid chamber to vent air from the bottle, a lower air vent tube extending downwardly from said lower circular member in communication with said chamber and spaced from the lower end of said upper air vent tube, whereby a liquid seal is formed across said vent tubes when liquid is poured down said spout into said bottle.

5. The liquid dispenser of claim 4 wherein said upper air vent tube is laterally olfset from said lower air vent tube so that the passages therein are out of alignment with each other.

6. The liquid dispenser of claim 4 wherein said lower circular member has its upper surface inclined downwardly toward said lower vent tube.

7. A liquid dispenser for insertion in the neck of a bottle comprising, an upper circular member with a central opening therein, a pouring spout extending above said central opening, a cylindrical skirt extending below said circular member, circumferential radial ribs extending inwardly of said skirt forming longitudinal passages therebetween, a lower circular member joined to the lower inner edges of said ribs, the space between the upper inner edges of said ribs forming inlet ports therebetween, an upper air vent tube adjacent said spout with its lower end extending below said upper circular member in communication with the space between said circular members, a lower air vent tube extending below said lower circular member with the upper end thereof in communication with said space and being in spaced relationship with the lower end of the upper air vent tube whereby a liquid seal is formed between said tubes when liquid is poured down said spout.

8. The liquid dispenser of claim 7 wherein the lower circular member has a beveled surface inclined toward said lower vent tube.

9. In combination, a bottle having a neck with a recess therein, an upper circular member having a central opening therein, a pouring spout extending above said opening, a flange around said circular member disposed in said recess, said spout being enclosed entirely within said neck, a lower circular member spaced below said upper circular member, radial ribs disposed on the underside of said upper member having their inner edges abutting said lower member, an upper air vent tube disposed adjacent said spout with its lower end in communication with said space between said upper and lower members, a lower air vent tube extending downwardly from said lower member with its upper end in communication with said space, the adjacent ends of said tubes being spaced vertically from each other to form a liquid seal therebetween when liquid is poured into said bottle.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said upper and lower air vent tubes are laterally offset from each other so the air passages therein are out of alignment with each other.

11. The liquid dispenser of claim 9 wherein the air passage in said lower air vent tube is in alignment with the inner periphery of said upper tube.

12. A liquid dispenser :for use in the neck of a bottle comprising an upper circular member for attachment to a bottle, a vertical cylindrical liquid chamber disposed centrally of said circular member and having inlet port means in the side thereof, a solid circular disc member forming a closed bottom for said liquid chamber, pouring spout means above said chamber and in communication therewith, upper air vent means adjacent said spout means and in communication with said chamber spaced above said disc member, lower vent means extending below said disc member and through it and in communication with said chamber, the upper end of said lower vent means being spaced from the lower end of said upper vent means to cause a liquid seal in the vent means when liquid is poured into said bottle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 728,610 Posno May 19, 1903 2,292,282 Moran et a1. Aug. 4, 1942 2,714,977 Davis Aug. 9, 1955 2,819,824 Ebert Jan. 14, 1958 

1. A LIQUID DISPENSER FOR USE IN THE NECK OF A BOTTLE COMPRISING A LIQUID CHAMBER HAVING CIRCUMFERENTIALLY SPACED RIBS FORMING INLET PORTS THERETO, SAID RIBS FORMING LONGITUDINAL PASSAGES TO PERMIT LIQUID IN THE BOTTLE TO BE DISCHARGED INTO SAID CHAMBER, A POURING SPOUT EXTENDING ABOVE SAID CHAMBER FOR RECEIVING LIQUID THEREFROM, UPPER AIR VENT MEANS ADJACENT SAID SPOUT AND IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CHAMBER, LOWER AIR VENT MEANS IN COMMUNICATION WITH SAID CHAMBER AND EXTENDING BELOW SAID CHAMBER WITH ITS UPPER END SPACED FROM THE LOWER END OF SAID UPPER VENT MEANS, AND MEANS IN THE BOTTOM OF SAID LIQUID CHAMBER TO CAUSE A LIQUID SEAL ACROSS SAID CHAMBER WHEN LIQUID IS POURED INTO SAID BOTTLE. 